9 Things to Add to your Holiday Bucket List

1. Host a Friendsgiving
   What could be better than spending quality time with your friends while eating a Thanksgiving feast?  Hosting a Friendsgiving is the best way to kick off the holiday season. It may seem like a lot of work, but in reality it’s a simple task and totally worth any hassle.  Like any other potluck, everyone is responsible of bringing a dish or two and the beverage of their choice. Maybe as the host, you can make a specialty cocktail to spice things up! Some of our favorite Thanksgiving feast trimmings are mac & cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy just to name a few.  It is truly something special to sit down to enjoy a feast of Thanks surrounded by your closest friends.
2. Hit up Miracle on Liberty
   Pittsburgh’s Favorite Christmas pop up bar is coming to town!  Miracle opens their doors the day after thanksgiving, Friday, November 23rd. This year they are in a new location, 717 Liberty Ave. Here you can find Pittsburgh’s most boozy, festive, christmas cocktails which are to be enjoyed under the intense christmas decor.  This bar is covered from top to bottom with christmas trimmings. (Biggest understatement of the season) This pop up needs to be on your christmas bucket list! We’ll see you at the bar!
3. Light Up Night
   On Friday November 16th, Pittsburgh’s light up night will take place downtown to celebrate the beginning of the Holiday season. Come enjoy food vendor’s, live music, fireworks and so much more (including your favorite Made in PGH team selling your favorite Made in PGH gear! – Check out our holiday spirit shirts!).  Maybe you’ll spot some local celebs or even the big guy Santa Claus himself! This event is for all ages so come one, come all.
4. Skate at PPG
   Whether it’s with your friends, family or your significant other, skating around the Christmas tree at PPG is one of the most festive things to do in Pittsburgh this season.  Grab your heaviest winter coat and your mittens and get ready to enjoy the beautiful lights and the festive music. You’ll definitely need to sip on some hot chocolate after this one.
5. Millie’s Hot Chocolate
   Speaking of hot chocolate…this delectable drink is a winter staple. How else are we supposed to keep warm? If you haven’t had the hot chocolate from Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, you haven’t lived.  This sweet, warm, thick and creamy concoction will blow you away. It gives us all the feels. This year, instead of the homemade marshmallow, they are topping off their hot cocoa with homemade marshmallow fluff! Sign us up!!
6. Decorate a Christmas Tree
   This one is best for those with roomies. Stringing lights on a real tree might be tough but a little teamwork will do the trick.  Playing holiday music or a christmas movie while decorating a tree screams nostalgia. Maybe sip on some spiked eggnog or hot chocolate to really get in the spirit!
7. Shop at the Holiday Market
   Opening the night of light up night, the Holiday Market will begin and be open until December 23rd.  This European tradition is on its 7th year in Pittsburgh. Here you can shop for holiday gifts from local creatives, listen to live music, eat delicious food and get a picture with Santa in his house. Market Square truly comes to life this time of year!
8. Phipps Conservatory Holiday Magic: Let it Glow!
   This classic holiday celebration is so beautiful it will put you in awe.  Each year seems to become a little bigger and a little brighter. Keep your eye out for the classic holiday trees, a room full of nutcrackers, festive props and topiaries. This year they have added more extravagant details like a rotating tree, ten 6 ft tall water ice towers and so much more.  You’ll have to pay Phipps a visit to see other new additions!
9. Host a White Elephant Party
   Some get a white elephant party and a secret santa party confused.  Lets just say, a white elephant party is much easier and much more fun.  Everyone brings one gift, wrapped and puts it in the middle of the circle.  Each party goer picks a number 1 – how many gifts there are. In this case you want a high number! The higher your number the higher the chance of getting the best gift in the room! Pick your gifts in order but watch out for anyone who might want to steal your gift! This game can get heated!
   Tip: Make sure to set a price point for the gift so everyone goes home a winner!

This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.